Page 11 of Forbidden Romeo

And that was exactly why I was falling for her.

It was also why I shouldn’t fall for her.

She deserved better than this.

Better than Dad’s games and tests.

She deserved better than… me.

CHAPTER 5

The sight of Holden in my childhood bedroom is weirdly sexy. Something about those thick muscles and long limbs sprawled out on my blue butterfly comforter makes my heart race.

Even though his eyes are cast on his phone, a smile curves the corners of his mouth. “Don’t get any ideas… this bed can barely fit me.”

I cross the small bedroom, kicking aside the air mattress he’s been sleeping on and launch myself on top of him.

Holden lets out a surprised laugh as I nuzzle into his chest. His arms come up around me, enveloping me in his warmth. I breathe him in, that masculine scent I've come to love so much.

"Hey you," he murmurs, his fingers trailing up and down my back. I tilt my chin up to look at him, our faces just inches apart as the playful mood shifts.

Holden’s smile fades as his bright amber eyes meet mine. “How are you holding up?” he asks, those intense eyes searching mine.

Slowly, tentatively, I answer by lowering my lips to his.

The kiss starts soft, tender, almost reverent. But it quickly ignites into something more urgent, more passionate. Our mouths come together hungrily as the stress from the last week and built-up tension is finally released.

This.

This is what I need.

I need Holden. Now and forever.

My fingers tangle in his hair and his strong arms tighten around me, pulling me against him. I melt into his embrace, losing myself in the passion that’s been simmering under the surface for so long. We kiss deeply, ardently, making up for lost time. In this moment, even though I’ve been back in Indiana for a week, it actually feels like I’m home.

Holden’s arms, lips, embrace… that’s my home.

Our mouths move together hungrily as our bodies mold. I run my hands over his hard chest, feeling his heart pound in rhythm with my own.

Suddenly the cramped space feels electric. I become intensely aware of how close we are, how I can feel the heat from his body seeping into mine.

Holden rolls us over so I'm beneath him, his weight pressing me into the mattress. One hand cradles my head while the other explores my curves. I ache for him, my skin burning everywhere he touches.

When we finally come up for air, his forehead rests against mine. Our breaths mingle in the scant space between us.

“Katherine,” he whispers and takes my hands in his to stop their roaming.

“Mmmm,” I moan against his mouth. “Less talk. More tongue.”

Pulling back, his eyes meet mine, an intensity in them that makes my pulse quicken.

"We shouldn't..." he whispers, though his body language suggests otherwise as his hands slide down my back. “You’re… it’s just, it’s been a long, intense week.”

“I’m fine,” I say, peppering kisses down his stubbled jaw.

“You’re not fine. Your father just died, Katherine.”

His words strike me, stinging as sure as they were a palm to my cheek. I push up to my elbows and look Holden dead in the eyes. “Yeah and you just found out you might be a father. We’ve both had a shitty week, wouldn’t you say?”

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